Means for cleaning boiler and condenser tubes



Aug. l, 1933. G. B. vRooM 1,920,283

MEANS FOR CLEANING BOILER AND CONDENSER TUBES Original Filed Nov. 30, 1929 NVENTOR GUYSET V/POM w (L M,

ATTORNEY Patented `Aug.'1, 1933 r UNITED STATES MEANS Fon CLEANING BorLEn AND ooNDENsEn TUBES Guysbert B. Vroom, United States Navy original application November so, 1929, serial 410,840.` Divided and this application March 19, 1931. SerialNo. 523,927

8l Claims.

y(Cl. 15-104.20.)

(Granted under the Act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370 O. G. 757) Heretofore the bristles of brushes for cleaning the water or other` deposit or scale from condenser, boiler and like tubes have been formed of individual wires cut to length and assembled into groupsI each of a number of Wires corresponding to the desired thickness of `each group. Each such group is then bent double, or otherwise arranged, and secured at its bent end to the body of the brush. The cutting to length, assembling into groups and the bending and handling of each group ci loose wires are tedious operations requiring time and much hard labor which increases their production cost.

An object of -my present invention is to provide such apparatus that the .assembly of the multiple wires forming each group may be dispensed with and that each such group of multiple wires may be cut and handled as quickly and readily as each single wire thereof was by the practice prevailing before my invention.

A further object of my invention is to provide a brush whose bristle units will automatically align their cleaning surfaces with the surface to be cleaned, and which will efficiently clean boiler f and condenser tubes, enable the brush to beconstructed at substantially lesser production cost and enable the bristle-units to be readily replaced by those even of relatively little, if any, skill in the art.

The foregoing and other objects of my invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawing illustrating one embodiment of my invention in an improved apparatus, of the many difr ferent forms and characters of apparatus, each of which may be employed with or without substantial modication, in the practice of my invention.

This application is a division of my copending application, Serial No. 410,840, led 30 November 1930.

In the accompanying drawing, in which like characters of reference indicate the same parts,

Figure 1 illustrates a portion of a wire cable which I employ in the construction of my cleaning apparatus; n

Figure 2 is a view of a portion of Figure l;

Figure 3 is a central longitudinal plan viewof my boiler and condenser tube cleaning apparatus; v

Figure 4 is an end elevation view thereof;

Figure 5 illustrates a single group of wires after their securing means has beenv severed to show their resultant securement in the body 14;

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view of abrush body showing its periphery developed into a at plane to illustrate the relative positions of the openings extending through the brush body.

My invention contemplates and includes the association with such cleaner of a wire cable 10 60 of a size desired to substantially conform to the diameter of each group of bristles desired to be employed in the production of such cleaner.

The` strands of the cable 10 are then secured together at aplurality of points in the length of such cable. Said strands may be secured together by solder 11 applied at a plurality of points along said cable, or the same may be secured together by any other suitable means. The securing means l1 is adapted not to substantially increase the diameter of the cable 10.Y The securing means l1 is applied to the cable 10 preferably at points corresponding to the length of the bristles desired to be assembled into the cleaning brush, and which length exceeds the bristle length in the completed brush.

The cable 10 is then severed into lengths, such point of severance being preferably within and near the center of the area oi the cable 10 whose strands are secured by said means 11. Such severance of cable 10 provides cable lengths 12, one of which is illustrated in Figure 2. Such lengths l2 have Vsaid securing means ll atoppositeends preferably comprising substantially half r the length of the securing means illustrated in 8* Figure 1, due to said severance of cable 10 being preferably at substantially the center of each securing means l1. Preferably one end of each cable length 12, Figure 2, is provided with a beveled or rounded point 13.

The cylindrical body 14 of the cleaning brush has drilled therethrough a plurality of holes of such size preferably that they form a tight t for fthe-cable lengths v12.

I' retain the cable winding stress in the component cable wires, so that the individual wires are retained in intimate association insubstantially less diameter than the Wires would normally assume-if loose. The securing means 11 enables each length 12 to be handled as, if not 100 more conveniently than, a single strand of such cable, as wellvas facilitates each length 12 being driven into its corresponding hole extending substantially radially through the cylindrical brush lor body 14. Each cable length 12 is adapted to have a surface length within the solder or other securing means 11. This is more deiinitely illustrated in FigureZ between the dotted lines 15, each of which are at a point removed from said solder 110 or other securing means 11, and which lines 15 'if uniformly from opposite sides ably substantially equally from opposite sides thereof, the projecting ends of cable'length 12 are each severed substantially at the dotted line' 15. Said severance removes the solder of other securing means 11 as a by-product of the brush and loosens the several strands of length 12,.

which strands in their tendency to expand become more firmly xed in each of their respective holes through the body 14, due to the projecting ends of the length 12 each Ytending to progressively increase in diameter from the surface of' body.`

14 toward the ends of each length l2.

Howeven prefer not to trim the sections 12 as they are driven into place inthe brush body 14, but after all the sections 12 are thus mounted to project substantially equally from opposite sides of bodylfl, the body 14 is mounted between the centers of a grinding machine andthe sections 12 are ground by grinding wheel to the proper diameter illustrated between thedotted lines 15 in Figure 2. 1n the grinding of the sections 12 their soldered endaincluding securing means 11, are thus removed, which Vpermits the individual wires of each section 12 to relax from their normal tight wound' wire cable condition. This relaxation 'tendsto cause the individualwires of each section. 12 to beccme'more firmly fired in and throughout the lengths of their respective holes 12ans well yas to flare at their respective opposite ends which project from said holes 12a. This .flaring .also tends to secure said wires into their respective holes 12a. v

The holes 12d are drilled radially through the body 1e ofthe brush in any desirable number to afford the required area of wire bristles. y The diameter of holes 12a is such that the normally tight wound wire cable 10, desired to be used for each separatefgroup of bristles, may bedriven into such holes to such extent that each section thereof, so driven, will project substantially -of `the brush body :14.

The preferred form of the brush and its body 14 is'cylindrical. The holes 12u drilled radially completely through body 14 tightly hold each of their sections l2 of Wire cable 10 even when the strands thereof are unlaid to the extent permitted by 'the .trimming oi the opposite secured ends 11 of each 4section 12. While each of these units 12 of separate. bristles each in their respective holes 12a areheld tight, in the sense that they are a serviceable unit substantially xed with the brush body 14, yet each such bristle unit is capable of longitudinal movement in its hole 12a to accomplish the self centering of the brush when in use with the opposite ends of each said unit engaging, with substantially equalforce, the opposite walls of theboiler yor..con:lenser tube to be cleaned.

The brush body 14 with its bristle units 12 are intended to be rotated within the tube to be cleaned by the motor driven flexible cable boiler tube cleaning apparatus; the same may be rotated otherwise or 'longitudinally reciprocated or rotated and reciprocated or otherwise moved relative tothe tube being cleaned thereby.

In round brushesin which the bristles are radial and extend through. thebrush and the opposite ends {of each bristle are adapted to be in cleaning association, it involves a r,substantial problem to obtain an adeduatenumber of bristles `Ii have devised for overcoming said difficulty, and

multiplying the number of possible bristle units passing through each unit of length of the brush body without interference with each other at the center of the brush body, and without the requirement of other securing means .than the close fit of each bristle unit in its hole in the `brush body, is illustrated in Figure 6 showing diaiframmatically the body 14 in the flat. In this figure the lopposite vertical sides may be visualized as being joined together to make the cylindrical body 14, but its ilat diagram discloses most readilymy preferred method of arranging the bristle holes 12o. The lengthof each hole .12ct, Athe extent between itsI opposite openings, indicates the exterior diameter of thebody 14 as well as discloses relatively the location of the bristles, when projectingfrom the opposite ends of each hole 12a, respecting each other and the super-k ficial area oi the body 14. The arrangement disclosed in Figure e, for instance, of nine holes drilled completely through the cylindrical brush body, `affords on its periphery :eighteen bristle units `in four helical paths, comprising the opposite ends of nine cable portions whose strands are permitted to unlay after these portions are secured in their respective nineholes 12o.

The central longitudinal opening 22 extending through the axes of each brush body 14, when desired to be employed, will extend vertically through. the center of each horizontally shown hole 12a in Figure 6, which center is diagraminatically in this ligure at a point midway between the opposite ends of each hole 125i. The vertical `spaces between the holes 12u shown in Figure 6 represent the thickness of metal of the brush body 14 between holes at its center, while this small intervening space at thecenter increasesradially to the outer surface of brush body 14 where the metal Ithickness between holes 12a is substantial. While this outer thickness `of metal between holes 12o affords ample strength for the brush body14 as a whole, some such thickness is desirable at the center in order to afford in the essentially small diameter of body 14 ample interior surface in each hole 12o to exert the requisite binding engagement with its resoective portion 12 of cable 1U forming each bristle unitwhen securing rneans ll is removed from veach end by trimming the portions 12 so that their opposite ends may be all in cleaning association after portions 12k have been assembled brush body 14.

As indicated in Figure 5, the diagonal shade lines across the center of cable portion 12 indicates the strands which substantially have not becoine` unlaid by the severance of the strand .securing means V11.

bodies 14 are employed with a exible driving 'means 21 securedy to and extending between each of said bodies 14. Said means 21, in the instance shown in Figure 3, is a wire cable whose ends extend into one end of hole 22 extending longitudinally through the neutral axis of each body j" convenient replacement availability.

14. A boss 23, integral with each body 14 and surrounding each end of cable driving meansl 21, hasl a screw 24 threaded radially through one side of each of said bosses 23 with its screw ends embedded into the' oppositeends of cable 21 to rigidly secure said bodies 14 toopposite ends of said cable 21.

The remaining ends of bodies 14 are provided with bosses 25 whose exterior surfaces are provided with like screw threads 'so that either cap 26 orxcoupling 27 of handle or flexibleshaft 28 may be screwed thereon.

The cap 26 protects the threads on the boss 25 to which the coupling 27 is not attached. A threaded boss 25 is located at each end of the brush, so that when the brush is passed through a tube in one direction, the cap 26 may be re moved and another coupling 27 of a handle or fiexible shaft may be substituted therefor and the brush thus more readily passed back and forth through such tube.

24 are dispensed with, the body 14 of one brush is employed, but Apreferably of a longer body, and, instead of `screw 24, such boss is provided with external threads fitting coupling 27 or cap 26.

The opposite ends of each hole 22 are provided With tapers 29 adapted to accommodate the cone centers of the grinding spindle during the grinding operation and thereby control the contour of the cleaning surface which in a substantially cylindrical brush is concentric with said tapers 29.

It will be understood that instead of securing the strands of cable l0 by soldering bands or points 11, which preferably is done in such manner as not to increase the diameter of cable 10, said strands may be secured in their cable form and stress by electric spot welding or in any other convenient or desirable manner.

It will be appreciated that my invention produces a brush oi superior quality, utility and service life at a very nominal production cost, vand that when the bristles have become Worn beyond the degree of eiiiciency they may be readily removed, replaced and trimmed by those relatively unskilled in the art.

It will be understood that the above description and accompanying drawing comprehend only the general and preferred embodiment of my invention, and that various changes in construction, proportion and arrangement of parts may be made within the scope of the appended claims, and without sacricing any of the advantages of my invention.

The brush body 14 and the severed cable lengths 12 forming each bristle unit, are each subjected-to severe service in which the bristle units soon wear out and the holes 12d in body 14 are liable to wear such that the bore of such holes may not eiiiciently hold their respective bristle units. said body as well as the bristle units 12 are each intended as independent articles of commerce for The herein described invention may be manu factured and used by or for the Government of the United States for governmental purposes without the payment to me of anyV royalties thereon.

Having now so fully described my invention that others skilled in the art may therefrom make and use the same, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A brush having its brush surface formed When unbent tubes are to be cleaned the connection 2l and screws To facilitate their vready replacements,y

ofthe endsof'a plurality of severed portions or" a cable, a retaining member havinga plurality of holes therein, each snugly receiving and retaining a' cable portion, and said member being provided with countersunk means yat opposite of holestherein each having driven therein one of said cable portions, each portion having the.

normal lay of its strands substantially maintained in its length within its hole and having a relatively short cleaning end projecting from its hole and in which projection the normal lay of its strands is unlaid, and said portions being unrestrained except for their iit in their holes.

3. A brush having its brush surface formed of the ends of a plurality of straight severed portions of a cable, a substantially cylindrical retaining member having a plurality of holes extending transversely therethrough each snugly receiving and retaining a portion of said cable with each end of said portions projecting slightly from opposite sides of said member and in cleaning position, each portion being unrestrained except for said snug t which admits of a longitudinal movement of said portions in their holes to align the cleaning surface ends of the portions with the surface being cleaned.

4. A brush having a plurality of substantially round rigid brush bodies each provided with bristles, a flexible cable connection extending between said bodies, an apertured projection on the adjacent ends of and integral with each of said bodies, means for removably securing the opposite ends of said cable in said apertures, a threaded portion on the outer ends of each of said bodies, and operating means adapted to be connected to either of said portions.

5. A brush having a substantially round body provided With a plurality of holes of substantially uniform diameter extending laterally through said body in planes close together longitudinally of said body and terminating at a substantial angular distance from the `termini of adjacent holes, and a portion of wire cable 6. As a new article of manufacture for brushes,

a substantially solid round yuniformly diametered brush body provided with a plurality of straight holes of substantially uniform bore extending laterally and continuously through said body in Y planes close together longitudinally of said body interior surface of each hole may snugly engage the intermediate portion of its `bristle unit throughout the length of the hole, and said engagement being the sole means to maintain the normal relative positions ofthe components of its bristle unit and restrain longitudinal movement of said unit except to enable the unit to shift to equalize the cleaning stresses at its opposite ends; and conical formations at opposite ends of said'body for centering the same for' trimming the brushing surface .adapted to be i formed by the ends of rsaid units;

7. As a new article of manufacture forl brushes, a Wire rope or cable of a-,length slightly more `than suicient to form a bristle unit which has a cleaning surfaceat least onione end, and Whose strands are securedtogetherat opposite ends and Whose strands by `said securement retain their mmmass fof uniform rdiameter extending therethrough', a

straight bristle element 01'1 unity closelyftting `eas-h of said holes, each of said elements or units in said holes consisting of a Wire rope 0r:.cab1e portion Whose strands are subjected to theirnormal stresses and `which'elements are maintained in their holes only by the elosenessiofe'their fit ltherein, and said elements having short portion ends projecting from opposite ends of said holes with Ytheirstrands unlaid to forni7 a brushing surface at .opposite ends of each portion.

G. B. VROOM. 

